First Bike - 1979 yamaha dt175f - Need advice

I have the opportunity to buy a 1979 Yamaha dt175f for $185. It is an enduro, but at some point the headlight, and tail light and turn signals were taken off of it. I can pick up the bike for a couple hundred bucks, it is pretty clean, and runs good. The problem is I don't know anything about bikes. Any idea what it might take to put lights back on the bike so I could get it registered?

I have been wanting to get something that would be good to earn on that I can put around the fire roads in Big Bear on. I am not looking for something to ride on the streets, but it does need to be street legal.

Think this is a good opportunity for me, or more trouble then it is worth.

Cris

Last edited by crismateski; 04-10-2012 at 06:01 PM.
Reason: it is a DT175f not a dx

I'm not familiar with the "DX"... I know about the DT which was street legal, and MX, which wasn't.

If the bike has a brake light switch on the brake pedal, and has the switch cluster on the left handlebar for headlight, turn signals and horn, then it won't be a big deal - the wiring harness should have the wires you need - otherwise you'll have to run the wiring yourself.

Also, if the bike has the switch clusters, they'll have threaded sockets for the mirrors.

Parts are getting scarce. You can usually find some stuff on eBay, but it's hit or miss with parts these days.

There is a place in North Hollywood called "Johnson and Wood" that has a pile of milk crates full of turn signals and mirrors, especially bunches of the old 6 volt stuff. But, YOU have to dig through the crates to find what you need.

Unless you like to tinker and screw around a lot - a '70s enduro might not be for you. I'd recommend getting a 4-stroke from the '80s instead. It'll be a lot easier to find parts and require a lot less monkeying around.

I'm not familiar with the "DX"... I know about the DT which was street legal, and MX, which wasn't.

If the bike has a brake light switch on the brake pedal, and has the switch cluster on the left handlebar for headlight, turn signals and horn, then it won't be a big deal - the wiring harness should have the wires you need - otherwise you'll have to run the wiring yourself.

Also, if the bike has the switch clusters, they'll have threaded sockets for the mirrors.

Parts are getting scarce. You can usually find some stuff on eBay, but it's hit or miss with parts these days.

There is a place in North Hollywood called "Johnson and Wood" that has a pile of milk crates full of turn signals and mirrors, especially bunches of the old 6 volt stuff. But, YOU have to dig through the crates to find what you need.

Thank you for the information, I just double checked and it is the DT, not sure where I got dx from. I will correct the original post.

I will ask if it has the cluster and switchs. I see some turn signals on ebay and they seem pretty cheap, I just dont want to end up with a project that I cant finish and cant register. I was not really ready to purchase a bike, but a running bike for $185 got my attention.

Personally...a running '79 DT175 for under $200...I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Also ask if the 2-stroke oil pump is working, or if it's been disconnected. These bikes have a tank under the seat for the 2-stroke oil, and the pump automagically injects it into the intake. On a lot of the bikes, the pump has been disconnected and you have to manually mix the oil and fuel before pouring it into the tank. Not a deal breaker if you ask me, but something to be aware of.

If it runs, buy it quick. For a 30+ year old bike they do pretty good. Especially for someone to learn on. I started out with a '79 DT125 and loved it, of course that was in '79 also. That little 125 hauled me all over Kansas back-trails in the day. If I could find one local to me that ran, it would be in my garage.

I've ordered from these guys. It's hit or miss to find what you need, but they have stuff laying around even they don't know about. Brenda is cool to deal with, so if in doubt send her an email and let them dig through what they've got: